Among the BLM activists is 33-year-old Carlos Valnera, who tells New Times that he believes instead of honoring Forrest, the city should name the road after a more inspiring figure, such as Harriet Tubman.

“At the end of the day... the outrage felt by folks over these symbols [referring to Forrest Street] is very real," he said. "These are communities of modest means that might not have a lot of power, but they have dignity, and every day those publicly funded symbols remain is ever more proof of commissioners' willful disregard for their concerns.”

Among the reasons city officials say they have not changed the street’s name is that a new name may cause confusion for postal workers delivering mail. Recently, however, activists have discovered Forrest Street's Hollywood Beach extension has been renamed "Forest," which is phonetically identical. According to the street-naming protocol of counties across Florida, roads with phonetically identical names are prohibited because it could lead to confusion.

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